Switch



July 22, 1941. 5 BEAR ETAL 2,250,001

SWITCH Filed Sept. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. #525537 5EUC'AAE/V BY FIUA s. as?

ATTORNEY July 22, 1941. P. s. BEAR ElAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 14, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 2 EFF Rm 0 H H 1T mm a 4 Z H a July 22, 1941.

P. s. BEAR ETAL SWITCH Filed Sept. 14, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 EllaINVENTOR. #595587: HUM/LEA BY P501. .9. as?! ATTORNEY Patented July 22,1941 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH 1nd,, jassignors to Bucklen-Bearlaboratories,

Inc., Elkhart, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application September 14,1038, Serial No. 229,052 1 Claims. (on. zoo-1st) This invention relatesto switches, and more particularly is directed to a mercury switchstructure capable of use for wall switches, switchboards, and othersimilar switching applications.

One of the primary objects of the present inventionis to provide acompact wall switch structure which can be mounted in a shallow recep--'tacle and whichis silent and positive in opera tion.

Preferably, the present invention employs a metal envelope switchemploying a liquid such as mercury for the contacting element, whichswitch is operated by tilting it in opposite directions to make andbreak the electrical circuit shown in detail in the copendingapplication of Paul S, Bear, Serial No. 53,146; filed December 8,

present invention provides a switch construction in which a singleactuator may be employed for controlling the operation of a plurality ofvariouslyarranged switches which may also .be of varying capacities.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a construction inwhich a standard type of metal envelope switch of the constructiondisclosed in said copending application may be employed-without anymodification of the basic features thereof. This produces distinct 1935,now Patent No. 2,132,921 issued October 11, 1938, although it is to beunderstood that the construction of the switchitself may vary without inany manner affecting the scope of the present invention. Another objectof the present invention is to provide a switch construction in whichthe switch itself constitutes both the actuating means and the switchingmeans. For example, in one preferred embodiment of the invention theswitch envelope is provided with an insulated extension, which serves asthe operating lever or means for tilting the switch and projectstnirough a suitable wall plate opening or the li e. 0

Another feature of the present invention which is of distinct importanceis the provision of a switch capable of use as a wall switch, and whichis so constructed as to carry appreciably more current than any previoustype of switch of the mercury type heretofore employed. With the presentconstruction, switches may be employed for operation in a switchboard orin a wall box or the like which can carry currents'up to 200 amperes,although probably thehighest currents desired for such installationswould not exceed 65 amperes.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide a tilting typeswitch which may be operated from a two button control,from integralextensions on the switch, or by cam mechanisms connected to an actuatingmeans.

Another advantage attained by the present invention is the provision ofa compound switch for opening and closing circuits in multiple or foropening one circuit while closing another, or for controlling anycombination of circuits that may be desired. In this connection theeconomy since it is not necessary to modify this type of switchconstruction in order to apply it to the particular uses disclosedherein. I Another advantage of the present invention is the fact thatthe present construction is so de-' signed that it is capable ofreplacing the conventional type of wall switch now in use to provide asilent operating switch.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear morefully from the following detailed description, which, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to thoseskilled in the art'the'particular construction and operation of sev alferred forms crane present invention. v

In the drawings: v n 3 Figure 1 is a sectional view through a'wall boxshowing the application of the present switch thereto:

Figure 2 is a struction shown in Figure 1;

' Figure 3 is a top view, partly in construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a modified form of the invention corresponding to thestructure shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a front elevationalviewthereoi';

section, of the I Figure 6 is a -detailed view of the actuatingextension for the switch; v

Figure '7 is a rear elevational view of the bracket by which the switchis mounted in position; i t

Figure B shows a construction in which one or more switches may beemployed mounted for operation'by push button control;

, Figure 9 is a frontelevational view of the construction-shown inFigure 8; z 'Figure 10 shows a switch construction for a wall box or thelike employinga push-button control; r

figure 11 is a front elevational view thereof; Figure 12 shows a switchbox arrangement for controlling a plurality of circuits of varyingsizes" by the use of a single, actuator which may be emfront elevationalview of the conployed to simultaneously control all of the switches.

Fig. 13 is a side view, partly in section of the construction shown inFig. 12.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention shown inFigure 1, a wall box is indicated generally at 5 and has the frontflanged.

portion 6 to which the mounting bracket or plate I may be secured bymeans of thescrews 8. The plate 1., as-shown more in detail in Figure 3,has at the center thereof two rearwardly 1 extending ears or. flanges 3which are provided with apertured bosses III for receiving the trunnionsll carried at opposite sides ofthe switch indicated generally at I2. Theswitch I2 is of the type shown in detail in the copending applicationreferred to above. It comprises a cupshaped metal envelope having anenlarged end.

material such as described in detail in the copending application ofPaul S. Bear, Serial No. 148,946, filed June 18, 1937, and preferably,the Portion of the .case which encloses the extending endof the switchis provided with an integral extension "which may be rectangular in,

section, and which is preferably serrated as indi-' cated. at l8 toproject through'the opening IS in the plate I and through therectangular slot inthe wall plate 22. Mounted on the extension I1 is anindicating plate 23 which moves upwardly and downwardly with theextension and carries suitable legends thereon for indicating theposition of the switch. The wall plate is fastened in any suitablemanner such as. by means of the screws 24 to threaded bosses on theplate I for clamping the same in position with respect to the wall box5.

It will be apparent that as the extension I! is moved upwardly anddownwardly in the slot 20 in the wall plate, the switch I 2 will rotateon its trunnions l I about the bosses III to move from a circuit closedposition as indicated in Figure 1 to an opposite angularly extendingposition with the extension I! in the lower end of the opening 20, inwhich position the switch is in its off position. Preferably, the plate!is provided with a spring arm 25 having vertically spaced bosses orrecesses 25 formed therein which engage a suitable projection 21 on thecase of the switch, and act as a detent means for holding the switch ineither of its operative positions and for preventing theswitch frommoving out of its selected position until suflicient pressure is exertedon the extension H to snap the projection 21 out of the engaged recess26 and into the other recess for holding the switch in its oppositelimiting position.

While the showing of the switch in Figure 1 indicates that the switch isof considerable longitudinal extent, it is to be understood that ifdesired the rounded. end 23 of the case may itself project through thewall plate 20 with the shoulders 3 being reduced in length so that thepivot point for the switch is moved closer to the plate I, and thus therearward extent of the switch the trunnions Ill carried by theinsulating ex- I may be materially reduced so that a shallow wall boxmay be employed.

Considering now the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 7,a wall box 30 is provided havingthe flange portions 32 to which amounting bracket or plate 33 is secured by means of the screws 34.

The plate 33 is provided on its rear portion with a block member 35formed of Bakelite,

or some other similarinsulating material, which is secured thereto bymeans of the rivets 36 as illustrated in Figure 4. The member 35 isprovided with a recess 31 which ,flares outwardly v toward the rear ofthe member as indicated at 38. Thetwo side walls of this recess are provided with slot portions 33 adapted to receive tension member 42fittingover the enlarged end of the switch case 43. The member 42 isprovided with a substantially rectangular shaped, extension 44 whichprojects through an opening 45 in the'plate'33 and through a rectangularopening 43 in the wall plate 41. The wall plate 41 is secured to theplate 33 by means of the screws in any usual or convenient manner. The.switch 43 has the switch case thereof provided with the electricalconductor indicated at 49,

which leads to one side of a circuit to be controlled by the switch, andthe shank of the electrode .carried in the enlarged end of the switch isprovided with a conductor 52 leading to the opposite side of thecircuit. These leads may be extended out through slots in the exten-Preferably, the member 42 is locked in position, so that the trunnion 40cannot move out wardly of the slots 33. by means of the locking spring53' which is snapped into'one of the slots in a well known manner. Withthis form of construction the switch is in its 01! position whenpositioned as shown in Figure 4 and is in its on position when theextension 44 is moved downwardly in the slot 46. The extension 44carries a legend plate 54 corresponding to the plate-'23 of theembodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3. The conductors l9 and 52 arepreferably connected to suitable terminals .55 and 43 carried in cutback portions 51 and 58, respectively, of the block, member 35.

Considering now the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 8and 9, a wall box is provided to which the mounting plate 52 is securedin any suitable manner such as described heretofore. The plate 62 isprovided at its central portion with rearwardly extending shoulders 63between which is pivotally mounted a bracket member 64 extendingrearwardly and aving means thereon for mounting a switch 65in position,the switch being held between a pair of.'springclips 36. The member 64may also have clips (not shown) extending in the opposite direction forsuDDOrting a second switch, indicated in dotted linesat 61, and mountedin (a reverse position, whereby one of the switches is in closed circuitposition and the other in open m'ent into and out of the wall box torotate the; portion II2 into which it drops and thereby member 34 aboutthe pivot point 12 for moving raises the switch I03 into the dotted lineposithe switches into their opposite limiting position closing thecircuit through the switch. The tiong. engagement of the end III of thelever I04 in In order to maintain the switches in each of 5 the notchII2 prevents the actuating arm 03 the limitingposltions the member 04 ispreferfrom moving outwardly until suillcient pressure ably provided-witha spring finger 13 which is isapplied thereto to raise the end I05 outof adapted to engage on opposite sides of a suitable the notch 'I I2over the hump between the notch boss I4 carried by one of the shoulders33. The and the inclined surface I03. fingers I3 must be flexed orsprung out of posi- The construction shown in this embodiment tion inorder to pass the boss I4, and consequently of the invention 'ispreferably adapted for 'use will hold the switches in either raised orlowered where the switch-may be positioned in an outposition/ untilsufficient pressure is applied to of-the-way location, and may becontrolled from the desired push button to overcome the resista remotepoint by means of a rod engaging the ance offered by the finger againstthe boss. In hook 33, or may be engaged in any other suitthe positionshown inl lgure 8 the switch 04 able manner. The off and on positions ofis in its on position and is connected through the switch are determinedby the location of the conductors l5 and I0 to a terminal block the arm30 with respect to the face of the wall II, which in turn is connectedinto a circuit Plate that the arm 93 ii w h e s controlled by the switchit. On the other hand, p siti n proje ts sid r y y d thesur-' the switch31 may be connected through suitface of the wall plate II4, but inswitch open able conductors I3 to a terminal block 19 position, is movedrearwardly substantially to mounted within the wall bog. the point at.which the hook portion 33 begins. Preferably, the terminal blocks I1 and10 are With this type wi Op ion i s Obvious secured to the plate 02 sothat upon removing that in pl ce of h hook Portion 99 the member thewall plate 10 by removal or the screws ,80, 90 mi ht be made of any d sed typ in whi h the plate with the entire switch mechanism it is pushedtoward the wall for closing the may be removed from the wall box by there- Switch, n s Pu led out frbm the wall for move] of the bracket plate32. When the push opening the switch. 1

button 33 is pushed inwardly it moves the push Considering now theembodiment of the invenbutton 68 outwardly and rotates the member 04tio'n shown in detail in Figures 12 and 13, in about the pivot I: tomove the switches into t is for f th inv n n, a u t pl peratin their oosite inclined position. This results in. wi is pr vid d in w h a sinactuator opening the circuit through the switch. 65 and may be emp oy fs m t eo y co t o closing the circuit through the switch 61. Obvia p ual y of u ts t u a r sp nd n pusly, the two switches may be reversed inplurality ,Of switches simultaneously actuated by position or may bothextend in the same direction the S g e eentl'el rto control two separatecircuits simultaneously. W hin a well box I20, which may be of anyConsidering now the embodimentof the inven- Conventional design or w i hm y be mounted tion'shown in Figures 10 and 11, a similar wallnswitchboard or e.- there is sup'-- box 35 is providedto which is secureda bracket P i t member having a ear plate 33 in the conventional manner,this plate Wardly extending. reversely turned'edge Po io having anopening 01 therein through which I13 f rming a support for an lterminal.

extends the actuating member 30which, in this block which x s e e y fthe formof the invention, is provided at its ends a box I20. v i

with a hook portion 99. frhe'member as within t its forward end the mebe n is pmthe wall box 35 has secured thereto a cammlng Vlded with all wy extending fl e P rt oii member I 00 mounted forsliding movement on I 8an ap h n hrough a terminal block member I02 which preferably t ng rodI21 extends. This rod is formed of insulating material, The gaming 5also passes through an" aperture I23 in the formember I00 has twooptional positions within ward wall of the box I20. At the lateral sidesthe wall box, the opposite limiting position being of the member I22upstanding ear portions I23 shown in dotted lines and being indicated atar prov ded which. at their upp r ds; ar I00 and I00". Mounted on asuitable pivot I03 p tured r c ve a tr n v sely ex n in carried by theterminal block I02 is a lever memshaft" member I30. Mounted on the shaftmember I04 which-has a downwardly curved porber I30 are a plurality ofactuating levers I32 tion I05 adapted-to ride on theinclined surfacewhich are pivoted interme i their n s n I03 of the camming member I00.The member the shaft member I30 and have downwardly I04 is provided witha spring clip projection I01 extending forward portions I33 adapted toenwithin which is clamped the switch memberl08. gage on the cam surfacesof the cam actuator The member I03 has its two terminals I00 and I34connected as indicated at I35 to the control IIO connected to theterminal block I02 in any rod I21. i v suitable manner, and is adaptedtobe raised At their opposite ends the members I32 are and lowered aboutthe pivot point I03 upon provided with clip portions=l36 for receivingand axial movement ofthe member 30 into and out 5 supporting the metalenvelope mercury switches of the wall'box 7 I31. I38 and I30,respectively. 1

When theniember 33 is in the position shown, The member I34 is of a shapsimilar to the I the carnming lever I04 is at the lower portion shapeofthe member I00 described in detail in of the cam surface I00 andthe'member 33 is Figure 10, but has a lower .notch portlonl4l preventedfrom moving further outwardly of the rand an upper notch portion I42separated by a boxby engagement of the flange portion III smoothinclined surface I43. The member I34 of the member I00 with the rear ofthe. plate 96. extends transversely of the plate I22 so as to be whenthe member 30 is moved inwardly, the common to'all of. the levers I32.As shown in end I05 of the lever I04 rides upwardly on the; Figure 13the controlrod I21 is in a neutral inclined surface I06 until it reachesthe notched or intermediate position with the ends I33,.of the levers n:all supported at .1. intermediate position on the inclined surface I43.Consequently, the switches Ifl, l3l-and I33 are allin an greatercapacity and able to handle higher cur-- rents. The switches I31 and I33are so mounted as-to'simultaneously close their respective circuits whentilted in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 13, and toclose their respective circuits when tilted in a clockwise direction.The switch I33 on the other hand is mounted so as to close its circuitwhen tilted .the cam operating wedge shown. in Figures and 12.. In allforms of the invention it is to be understood that suitable detent meansis'pro- 'vided for insuring that the switch will be held in each of itsactuated positions, such as shown at 23 in Figure 1, or as shown at IIin Figure 8, orv I32 in Figure 13.

poses, such as in homes, restaurants, 'apart-.

ments, or the like, or which may be designed for carrying heavier loadsand used in switch.-

in a clockwise direction, and to open its circuit when tilted in aclockwise direction. In order to insure proper pressure bearing of theends I33 of the levers I32 on the cam surfaces, springs I45 are biasedbetween the clip portions I36 of the levers I32 and the upp r end of theflange I23 as clearly shown in Figure 13.

It will be notedthat when the operating rod I 2I is moved to itsinnermost position, as shown in dotted lines at I2I', the levers I32will all be raised in a counter-clockwise direction and will drop intothe notch I42, thus holding the levers in position. This will result inclosing of the circuit through the switches m and m and opening of thecircuit through the switch I33. When the control rod is moved in theopposite direction to its outer limiting position, as

- indicated clearly at I21" in Figure 13, the ends I33 of the levers I32move downwardlyon the cam surface I43 into the notch I43, andconsequently effect rotation of the levers I32 in a clockwise directionresulting in opening of the circuits through the switches I3] and I38and closing of the circuit through the switch I33. Obviously, any numberof switches could be em, ployed in this manner, all controlled from asingle actuating rod and could be mounted in desired positions forselectively closing and opening circuits upon predetermined action ofthe rod I2'I.- It will be noted that each of the switches isprovidedwith an enclosing insulating casing through which the lead wires areprojected at theiarge end of the switch, and are led down to suitableconnections on the tenninalblock I24 as indicated at liil'in Figure 13.The springs I 45 are employed merely to prevent possible freezing of thelevers I32 on the shaft I30, and to insure that the lower end of thelevers surfaces on the members I34 upon reciprocation of the rod I21.

By way of illustration, and not to be taken in any sense as limiting,the switches I31 and I33 shown in Figure 12 are of a size capable ofhandling 20 ampere's, while the switch I38 is of a size capable ofhandling 35 amperes. These switches are drawn substantially to scale inthis particular illustration. However, switches han dling'up to or 100amperes may be readily incorporated in such a structure. Referring backagain to Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, it will be boards or otherinstallations for industrial switching purposes.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in connectionwith several preferred means of applying the same for such applications.it is readily understood that changes in details of the design andconstruction can be .made without departing from.- the underlyingprinciples of the invention, and the invention is therefore not to belimited except as defined by the scope and spirit of the appendedclaims.

We claim:

'1. A wall switch comprising a wall box, a bracket, secured thereto andhaving laterally spaced ears extending into said box, -a metal envelopemercury switch, an insulating case for said switch having integraltrunnions pivotally mounting said switch for tilting movement beend ofsaid shell and projecting outwardly throughsaid box for actuating saidswitch.

3. Awall switchassembly comprising a wall box, a bracket plate securedto the front face thereof, transversely spaced ears on said bracketwithin said box, a metal envelope mercury switch disposed entirely.within said box and having aninsulating enclosing case, trunnion meansformed on said case for pivotally supporting said switch intermediateits ends between said ears, a flush plate secured over said bracket andhaving a rectangular slot therein, and an integral longitudinalextension on one end thereof said case projecting outwardly-of said boxthrough said slot and vertically movable therein for tiltingsaid switch.L

4. A wall switch assembly comprising a wall box, a bracket plate securedto the front face.

thereof, transversely spaced ears on bracket within said box, a metalenvelope mercury switch disposed entirely within said box and having aninsulating case, trunnion meansformed on said case for pivotallysupporting said switch'intermediate its'ends between said cars, a flushplate secured 'over said bracket and having'a rectangular slot therein,an integral longitudinal extension on said case projecting through saidslot and vertically movable therein for tilting said switch, and aspring detent arm on said bracket plate between said ears and anintegral detent engaging boss on the case for holding said switch inopposite tilted positions.

5. A wall switch assembly comprising a wall box, a bracket plate securedto the open face thereof and having laterally spaced ears within thebox, an insulating actuator pivotally supported between said ears withinthe boxand having an actuating portion extending outwardly through thebracket plate, and a metal envelope mercury switch entirely enclosed insaid actuator within said box, said actuator being rocked in oppositedirections about its pivot to tilt said switch means in oppositedirections for selectively controlling a circuit through said switch.

6. A wall switch assembly comprising a wall box, a bracket secured tothe open face thereof and having laterally spaced slots within the box,an insulating actuator having a chambered portion pivotally supported insaid slots within the box and having an actuating portion extendingoutwardly through the bracket plate, spring means in said slots holdingsaid actuator against sliding movement relative thereto, and metalenvelope mercury switch means supported in the chambered portion of saidactuator, said actuator being rocked in opposite directions about itspivot to tilt said switch means in opposite directions for selectivelycontrolling a circuit through said switch, said bracket plate havingmeans cooperating with said actuator for resiliently maintaining saidactuator in each of its switch controlling positions.

7. In combination, a wall box, a bracket plate secured to the open faceof said box and having an insulating member supported on the inner facethereof, an aperture through said member and plate, opposed slotsextending axially from the inner end of said aperture toward the outerend thereof, a metal envelope mercury switch having an enlarged endportion, an insulating cupshaped member receiving said enlarged end andhaving trunnions for supporting the same in said slots, and an integralextension on said cupshaped member projecting from said box for tiltingsaid member about said trunnions.

8. In combination, a wall box, a bracket plate secured to the open facethereof and having laterally spaced ears within the box, a metalenvelope mercury switch having an enlarged end, an insulating caseenclosing the entire switch and having integral trunnion likeprojections at the enlarged end portion of the switch, said projectionsbeing pivotally supported in said ears, and an integral extensionprojecting longitudinally of the case out through an aperture in saidbracket plate for rocking the switch in opposite directions.

9. In combination, a wall box, a bracket plate secured to the open faceof said box and having an insulating member supported on the inner facethereof, an aperture through saidmember and plate, opposed slotsextending axially from the inner end of said aperture toward the outerend thereof, a mercury switch including an insulating case havingopposed trunnions supporting the switch for tilting movement in saidslots, and an extension on one end of said case projecting from said boxthrough said bracket plate for tilting said switch about said trunnion.

10. In combination, a secured to the open face of the box and having atubular extension into the box, laterally alined slots in the inner wallof said extensionopening into the inner end thereof, a mercury switch ofthe tilting type within said box, an insulating actuator extendingthrough said extension having a chamber receiving said switch and havingtrunnions pivotally supported in said slots, and means locking saidtrunnions against movement axially in said slots.

11. In combination, a wall box, a bracket plate secured to the open faceof said box and having an insulating tubular member secured to the innerface thereof, a pair of laterally alined horizontal slots in the bore ofsaid member adjacent the inner end thereof, mercury switch meansincluding an insulating actuator trunnioned in said slots and having aprojection extending outwardly through said plate, and means engageablein said slots locking said actuator trunnions against axial movementtherein.

PAUL S. BEAR. HERBERT E. BUCKLEN.

wall box, a bracket plate

